Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – In a game requiring an element of a participants physical...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-29
2001-07-31
Harrison, Jessica J. (Department: 3713)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
In a game requiring an element of a participants physical...
C463S009000, C463S010000, C463S020000, C463S036000, C273S269000, C273S274000, C273S454000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06267669
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a device and method for playing a game which is a hybrid of two or more games, and in particular for playing a game which is a hybrid of an hand/eye coordination or dexterity game preferably with a traditional game.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Electronic gaming devices and methods have been used for allowing players to play both traditional games (such as slot machine games, keno, poker, blackjack, and the like) and non-traditional games, particularly a variety of action games, such as simulated fighting games, simulated shooting games, simulated driving games, simulated sports games, and the like. It is believed that attempts to produce hybrids between these two types of games have not been fully successful, in the past, owing to a number of factors. Some previous devices have involved configuring or programming a microprocessor-based controller or other controller specifically to control both a traditional game and a non-traditional game or have involved providing two (or more) controllers, such as one for controlling a traditional game and a new controller for controlling a non-traditional game. However, in situations in which gaming is regulated, such previous approaches have typically required obtaining regulatory approval for the new combined controller or the new non-traditional game controller, often involving long delays and expense between the time when development on a hybrid game begins and the time when it has finally received necessary regulatory approval.
Some hybrid devices essentially positioned two physically separate gaming regions adjacent to one another (such as one above the other, one beside the other, etc.), and thus involved the cost of producing two separate gaming devices in order to play a single hybrid game. Similarly, hybrid game costs can be multiplied when controls or input devices are provided separately for two portions of a hybrid game.
Some approaches to hybrid games have appeared to be centered on traditional games, e.g., by requiring that a player play the traditional portion of a game, such as a slot machine game, first. It is believed that such traditional approaches may be limiting in the sense that they are less attractive to potential players who are primarily interested in non-traditional games.
Previous approaches to the hybrid game have further exhibited an orientation toward traditional games by configuring a game so that an action portion of the hybrid game is not activated in response to a winning or successful play, but rather is activated after any play of a first portion of the game or is activated after a losing play. In some cases, play of an action game may be configured to provide a result which merely assists or supplements the “main” traditional game, e.g., by providing additional chances at the traditional game.
Accordingly, it would be useful to provide a hybrid game apparatus and method which can eliminate or reduce the delay and cost for regulatory approval. It would also be useful to provide an apparatus and method which can make dual use of some components such as display components, and/or input or control components. It would further be useful to provide a hybrid game device and method without requiring a player to initially play a traditional game. It would further be useful to provide a hybrid game which emphasizes a non-traditional game, rather than basing progress to another game portion on any play of a first portion or losing play of a first portion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention involves a hybrid game, which includes at least a portion that involves skill, such as a hand-eye coordination and/or dexterity portion. When both portions of a hybrid game involve regulatory approval, such as approval of a controller, preferably a single controller (or two substantially identical controllers) ultimately controls game outcome with respect to both parts of the hybrid game. Thus, when the game-outcome-determining controller has already received regulatory approval (e.g., in the context of a non-hybrid game) the time and expense involved in regulatory approval in the hybrid game context is reduced.
Preferably, the game is implemented to permit wagering or gambling, and preferably the players' hand-eye coordination or other skill or dexterity can influence the payback percentage for at least some payback features of the hybrid game. In one embodiment, a second portion of the game cannot be played until at least one predetermined event has occurred during play of an initial portion of the game. In one embodiment, the initial portion is the portion which involves hand-eye coordination and/or dexterity. The event or events in the coordination/dexterity game which trigger the game of chance may be events whose probability is a function of the player's skill, or may be random events or otherwise unrelated to the player's skill.
In one embodiment, the game is implemented on an electronic gaming terminal, such as a computer-controlled gaming terminal having a single display screen, such that both portions of the hybrid game use the same display screen. Although there are two or more portions of the game in such a hybrid game, preferably the portions are coupled, such as by having a common point or credit accumulation which can be incremented by plays of either portion of the game. In one embodiment, at least one control or input device is used in playing both portions of the game.
In one embodiment a virtual map is associated with a coordination/dexterity game, such that each of a predefined plurality of actions that the player makes, or events which occur, in playing the coordination/dexterity portion of the game initiates an underlying traditional game, or game of chance, with the traditional game being initiated or selected in accordance with the virtual map.
In one embodiment, the gaming system is configured to accommodate third party or side bets on the game, and particularly on a coordination/dexterity game or portion of a game.
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Loose Change,Old ideas make new ideas., Sep., 1996, pp. 22-24.
Baerlocher Anthony J
Brune Chris T.
Luciano, Jr. Robert A.
Mayeroff Jason
Gerstman George H.
Harrison Jessica J.
International Game Technology
Nguyen Binh-An D.
Shaw Seyfarth
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